A computerized tomography system for transcranial ultrasound imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Electrical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional pulse-echo imaging systems present hardware challenges.
• Point diffraction tomography offers simplification by reducing the need for simultaneous element powering.
• Developing efficient hardware is crucial for advanced imaging modalities like transcranial imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a versatile 512-channel hardware system for tomographic imaging.
• To enable high-voltage signal transmission and reception for arbitrary array elements.
• To facilitate transcranial imaging applications and explore other tomographic uses.

Main Methods:

• A modular hardware design incorporating a software interface, microcontroller, pulse generation and amplification, high-voltage power conversion, and switching.
• Utilized mechanical relays for switching with speeds under 2ms and operating frequencies from 100kHz to 10MHz.
• Implemented two pulse amplifiers capable of delivering up to 400Vpp via power MOSFETs.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a 512-channel system capable of transmitting/receiving high-voltage signals.
• Demonstrated system functionality using ex vivo human skulls with 1MHz transducers.
• Achieved switching times under 2ms with a broad operating frequency range.

Conclusions:

• The developed 512-channel system offers a simplified hardware approach for tomographic imaging.
• The system is suitable for planned human transcranial imaging studies.
• The high signal output capability makes it applicable to other tomographic imaging scenarios.